Testimony of Healing July 28, 1923 Issue

Always having been deeply interested in religion and having...

Lily Rodgers Schafer

Always having been deeply interested in religion and having studied at a theological school, it was only natural, when I found myself alone with two little children to support, that I should take up the work I felt God was calling me to do; so I accepted a parish and was ordained to the Universalist ministry. I was very happy in the work, but unsatisfied in my knowledge of God. All the time I believed there must be a way to know God as the prophets did of old; and I was determined to seek until I found Him. My calling gave me time for study, so I began a search. I read "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and put it away as incomprehensible to me. After a time I turned to the study of new-thought, and believed I had found the way. I took from it just what appealed to me as true. Finally, a problem confronted me that could not be solved, and the more I tried to use my seeming theory the more confused I grew, while immediate help seemed absolutely necessary.

I had not been associated at all with Christian Scientists, nor had I thought of looking to Christian Science for help, until early one morning there came to my consciousness an overwhelming conviction that I could never find in matter the God I was seeking for so earnestly. It was like a sudden awakening from a dream. I knew at once that I had read that thought in Mrs. Eddy's book, Science and Health, ten or twelve years before, but was then unable to understand it. From that moment I knew that Christian Science was true. That night found me sitting humbly at the feet of Christ, Truth, with the Bible and Science and Health. I could understand very little of it, but I knew it was true; and I would study and learn.

I did not enter the pulpit to preach again, except on a few especial occasions. I accepted the first work that offered. It mattered not what kind, so long as it was honest and provided me time to read and study. I can see now how wonderfully divine Love led; as we read in Isaiah, "I will lead them in paths that they have not known." Many were the useful lessons I learned during those days, one of the greatest of which was the humbling of pride. Friends and relatives were disappointed and tried to dissuade me, but the voice of God had spoken, and there was naught to do but trust and obey. My problem, which had seemed so insurmountable, was quickly, but quietly, solved. Just by being obedient the solution was brought about as naturally as the sun shines through the opening in the clouds when the storm rolls away.

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